Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG F1 Safety Car in action

Monday, January 17, 2011

Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG F1 Safety Car (2010)

Pure The installation position a long way behind the front axle and the transaxle arrangement of the new seven-speed double-clutch transmission on the rear axle have a positive effect on the weight distribution, which is 47/53 percent (front/rear). And thanks to the dry-sump lubrication system, the AMG V8 powerplant can be installed very low down, resulting in a beneficial lowering of the vehicle’s centre of gravity. The unique vehicle concept is a key factor in ensuring outstanding driving dynamics: the aluminium spaceframe body keeps the vehicle weight down to 1620 kilograms (DIN kerb weight).

Fast lap times are a must for the Official F1 Safety Car, otherwise the Formula-1 cars’ tyres and brakes would cool down too quickly, while their engines could overheat. Unique vehicle concept for maximum driving dynamics The Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG has the best possible credentials for this demanding role in the top flight of motor racing: its 6.3-litre V8 engine has a peak output of 420 kW (571 hp) and a maximum torque of 650 Nm, enabling the gullwing model to sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.8 seconds. When radioed by Race Control, the former DTM driver and his co-driver, FIA man Pete Tibbetts (44, from the UK) will take to the track at the head of the field in order to guide the Formula-1 race cars safely around the circuit. The SLS AMG, piloted by Bernd Mayl nder (38, from Germany), will be on standby in the pit lane throughout the entire race. From March 2010, the Official F1 Safety Car will be deployed whenever hazardous situations such as accidents or bad weather endanger normal racing.

I’m sure all Mercedes and AMG fans will be excited to see the gullwing model together with the new Mercedes GP Petronas Team at the F1 circuits,’ says Volker Mornhinweg, Chief Executive Officer of Mercedes-AMG GmbH. ‘Together with the entire AMG Team, I am very proud that the new SLS AMG is the official F1 safety car. As in the last two years, the C 63 AMG Estate will be used as the Official F1 Medical Car for the coming season. The ‘gullwing’ model replaces the SL 63 AMG, which was used as the Official F1 Safety Car in 2008 and 2009. The job of the new Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, which will be launched on 27 March 2010, is to ensure maximum safety in Formula 1.

* Gullwing model for motor racing’s top flight * Unique super sports car concept * Two monitors for keeping a close eye on the race * C 63 AMG Estate once again Official F1 Medical Car When the new Formula-1 season gets underway in Manama/Bahrain (12-14 March 2010), it will mark the debut of the most spectacular and powerful Official F1 Safety Car of all time.